Clare Barnett brings a unique perspective having both private and public sector experience in international business development and marketing, economic development, attracting Foreign Direct Investment, developing Business Retention & Expansion programs, and building an award-winning Innovation District.

She has deep business development and marketing expertise cultivated through more than 15 years with the provincial government focused on Ontario’s economic competitiveness, in addition to prior private sector experience in the technology space.

Ms. Barnett served as Ontario’s representative in the United Kingdom with a mandate to further Ontario’s trade, investment and broader economic interests. She also established Ontario’s first Investment Office, leading international business development and marketing.

More recently, Ms. Barnett created an award winning and accredited Economic Development Office with the City of Brampton, part of the Greater Toronto Area. Global brands invested under her leadership, and Brampton’s place on the global stage was recognized through various awards, including being ranked one of Canada’s best locations to invest.

Ms. Barnett now serves as the Director of Business Growth with the City of Toronto, leading economic development in Canada’s largest city and economy. The focus of her work is Business Retention & Expansion, main street and small business support, entrepreneurship and investment attraction.

Ms. Barnett is a thought leader in economic development and is a sought-after speaker internationally. She serves as an Advisor and Board Member to many organizations such as the International Economic Development Council, Organization of Women in International Trade and local start up incubators and accelerators. She has been called an inspirational leader and is personally focused on supporting women to grow their careers in economic development.

Amit Brahme is Vice President, Strategic Cultural Segments at Scotia Wealth Management. An immigrant himself, he has over 25 years of professional experience in banking, technology, manufacturing, and educational sectors. Outside of work, Amit is an active volunteer with Junior Achievement and DECA, participating in mentoring and coaching programs designed to empower young people. He is also an instructor to post-graduate students at IMDR.

Amit is responsible to build and execute a comprehensive strategy to serve the wealth management needs of newcomers and diverse cultural segments. Working collaboratively with partners across Scotiabank, Amit drives an integrated wealth management and banking offerings to help newcomers build wealth and prosperity in Canada. Amit was most recently the Senior Director, Newcomer Client Segment at RBC.

Mr. Bernard He is a distinguished advisor and merchant banker with over 20 years of extensive experience in international business and investment banking. Since 2012, he has strategically invested in a diverse array of industries, including mining, consumer packaged goods (CPG), and agriculture. His astute investment acumen and strategic foresight have established him as a prominent figure in both Canadian and Chinese business circles.

Mr. He possesses an intimate knowledge of the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE). His robust network and influential connections span across Canada and China, underscoring his pivotal role in international finance.

In addition to his investment prowess, Mr. He is the founder and proprietor of several prestigious clubs in Toronto, including the Fame Club, a distinguished wine club, and an exclusive golf club. He is an active member of the Canada China Business Council (CCBC) and the Chinese Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCCC), as well as the Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs (ACCE).

Mr. He’s contributions to the business community have been widely recognized. In 2014, he was honored with the “Best Asia Pacific Business Award,” a testament to his exceptional impact and leadership in the region. His academic credentials are equally impressive; he holds a Master’s degree from the University of International Business and Economics, an MBA from HEC Paris, and a DEA from Paris, France.

This combination of extensive experience, strategic investment, and strong international connections positions Mr. He as a formidable force in the world of finance, reminiscent of the leading bankers on Wall Street.

Constantine Karayannopoulos, BASc, MASc, P.Eng., is a highly accomplished Professional Engineer who recently served as the President and CEO of Neo Performance Materials Inc. until July 2023 (NEO). NEO, a distinguished REE and critical minerals Canadian public company, benefited from Mr. Karayannopoulos’ 30 years of expertise including his leadership as COO (2000 – 2005), CEO (2005 to 2012), Chairman of the Board (2016 to 2020) and most recently again as CEO from July 2020 to July 2023.

With an impressive career spanning over three decades, Mr. Karayannopoulos has emerged as one of the most enduring executives in the rare earth industry. His expertise extends to collaborating with various governments across Europe, North America, and Asia, aligning public policy and industrial economics for strategic growth.

Mr. Karayannopoulos’ journey in the Rare Earth sector began in 1994, working under the guidance of Peter V. Gundy, the founder of Advanced Material Resources Limited (“AMR”) in Toronto. AMR marked a historic milestone as the first foreign company granted access to China’s Rare Earth industry, establishing two majority-owned operating joint ventures. Mr. Karayannopoulos’ roles at AMR evolved from Business Development Manager to North American Sales Manager, Global Sales Manager/Chairman of the JVs, VP/General Manager of AMR’s Rare Earth Business Unit, COO overseeing AMR’s both Rare Earths and Magnetic Material divisions and eventually to CEO following the acquisition of Magnequench Inc. in 2005 and the renaming of the combined company to Neo Material Technologies. Neo was sold to Molycorp in 2012 for $1.3 billion.

Mr. Karayannopoulos is also the co-founder and was the non-executive Chairman of the Board of Neo Lithium Corp., a position he held from 2016 until January 2022 when the company was sold for $960 million.

In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Mr. Karayannopoulos is a member of the Advisory Board at the University of Toronto’s Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry. He is also a Director of the Canada China Business Council and serves on the Advisory Board of Lithium Royalties Corp., a fund specializing in battery materials royalties and streams.

Mr. Karayannopoulos, leveraging his profound expertise in the sector, will provide invaluable services related to consultation on critical minerals through his consulting company, Kloni Inc., further enhancing Appia’s strategic positioning. The Company has granted 300,000 options exercisable at $0.275 per share for five years to Kloni Inc.

Ricco Piao is Vice President of CTS Global Logistics Canada Inc. and a seasoned professional in cross-border logistics and supply chain management with 10 years of experience. He began his career in corporate finance at PwC, focusing on due diligence and M&A advisory, before founding his own logistics company in Canada in 2016. In 2023, his company was successfully acquired by CTS Global Logistics Canada, where he now serves as Vice President.

Ricco has played a leading role in developing international warehouse networks and integrated logistics solutions across North America. His expertise spans overseas warehouse setup, e-commerce fulfillment, freight forwarding, and cross-border compliance, supporting both multinational corporations and high-growth enterprises.

CTS International Logistics Corporation Limited, the parent company of CTS Canada, is a subsidiary of China Logistics Group Limited and a Shanghai Stock Exchange-listed enterprise (603128). With over 90 branches worldwide and operations in more than 160 countries, CTS provides comprehensive services in international freight, project logistics, warehousing, e-commerce, and supply chain solutions.

Ricco holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia. He brings to the Advisory Council of CCBC not only deep industry knowledge but also a proven track record of bridging Canadian and international markets through innovative and sustainable logistics strategies.

Dr. Cory Searcy is the assistant vice-president (AVP), international at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). Appointed in 2024, Dr. Searcy furthers the university’s goal of increased internationalization by working with a broad range of stakeholders to foster collaboration, build international learning opportunities and drive the recruitment and success of international students based on an understanding of the global landscape and cultural diversity. He supports internationally focused activities in faculties and advance academic, research and social partnerships that align with TMU’s values, while driving a strategy to strengthen the university’s global presence and reputation.

An accomplished post-secondary leader, Dr. Searcy has been with TMU for more than 15 years. In his previous role as vice-provost and dean, Yeates School of Graduate Studies (YSGS), Dr. Searcy played a critical role in advocating for and implementing TMU graduate scholarships and fourth year PhD funding, and contributed to a new framework for financially supporting international graduate students. He oversaw international graduate student recruitment activities and supervised more than 25 graduate students.

Prior to taking on the role of vice-provost and dean, Dr. Searcy served as associate dean, programs, YSGS where he oversaw the graduate component of the institutional quality assurance process. This included guiding graduate programs through cyclical reviews, new program development, curriculum modifications, and other strategic initiatives. He has also served as program director for both environmental applied science and management as well as industrial engineering.

In 2021, Dr. Searcy co-chaired an internal review of TMU’s international units, including TMU Global and recruitment. This included a key focus on increased enrolment of international students and accompanying supports. He has worked closely with teams to strengthen international collaborations, global learning opportunities for domestic students and the university’s international rankings and profile.

A well established researcher, Dr. Searcy has published with researchers from the United States, Germany, Denmark, New Zealand, Australia, Turkey, Pakistan, the Netherlands and Italy. Dr. Searcy is a professor in the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering with expertise in corporate sustainability, environmental management systems, quality management systems, performance measurement, industrial ecology, and life cycle assessment.

Yang Yang is the Chief Executive Officer of Motion Pay and the Chief Strategy Officer of DIAN Motors Inc.

Founded nearly a decade ago, Motion Pay is a pioneering payment technology company that provides alternative payment solutions to customers from China and more than 30 other countries. Its platform allows international consumers to use their home country digital wallets for purchases in Canada. This innovative service not only drives revenue growth for Canadian merchants, but also delivers significant convenience to international students, foreign workers, new immigrants, and Chinese Canadians who maintain financial connections abroad.

Yang brings nearly 18 years of experience in the banking and financial services industry. Before joining Motion Pay, she held senior leadership positions at CIBC Capital Markets, where she served as Director and Head of Strategy of China and Southeast Asia Market. Her extensive expertise in financial markets and strategic planning has been critical to her success in guiding Motion Pay’s innovation and expansion.

Yang holds an Executive MBA from the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University and a Bachelor’s degree from Carleton University. Leveraging her strong professional background and strategic insight, she also serves as Chief Strategy Officer of DIAN Motors, where she leads international trade and global business development initiatives.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Yang is dedicated to community service. She is the President of the Scarborough York Region Chinese Business Association and has devoted nearly two decades to volunteer work. Her efforts have supported newcomers, promoted cultural exchange, and advanced economic development within the Chinese Canadian community.

Candice Yin, BSc, BA, MSc, is Senior Manager of Business Development & Expansion (Asia) at Viva Naturals, a leading provider of vitamins, supplements, and wellness products founded in 2011 by Husayn Remtulla. Since spearheading the company’s entry into China in 2017, she has driven strong sales growth and built a solid presence on Tmall, JD, Rednote, Douyin, and PDD. Candice and her team continue to expand in China and explore adjacent Asian markets to further strengthen Viva Naturals’ position at the forefront of the wellness product industry.